The Ashok Memorial Foundation has supported Surrey Hospital & Outpatient Centre Foundation since 2012. Named after Ashok Philip Abraham, who passed away from cancer at age 28, this group is dedicated to fundraising for pediatric cancer care and treatment.
With over 250 dedicated volunteers, the group holds an annual soccer and volleyball tournament in Surrey. To date, over $68,000 has been raised to help kids get their treatments in the best environment and with the best equipment at Surrey Memorial Hospital.
Background
Ashok Philip Abraham was born April 4, 1979 in Kuwait and was 28 years young when cancer claimed his life on Nov. 23, 2007. According to his family and friends, Ashok had much to offer in life. Everyone he met always found something to learn from him. Although cancer claimed his vivacious life at such a young age, his tender heart, charm and sense of humour keeps his memory alive in the hearts of all who knew him.
In dedication to such a caring soul, the Ashok Memorial Foundation was created and focused on helping find a cure for cancer through research and awareness. They are motivated by the loss of a son, a husband, a brother and a friend. They are hopeful their efforts can help protect other families from going through a loss like theirs.
Ashok Memorial Foundation is governed by a committee motivated by the same to make sure that patients who go through treatment at Surrey Memorial Hospital in pediatric oncology have the best environment and the best equipment provided. Beyond the committee, they have a dedicated group of more than 250 volunteers.
The Ashok Memorial Foundation has supported the Surrey Hospital & Outpatient Centre Foundation since 2012. In the first year, with the proceeds of their annual Soccer Tournament, they helped purchase a pediatric glidescope. This machine provides a constant and clear real-time view of a patient’s airway as the medical team intubates and places a tube to assist a young patient in breathing.
The physiotherapy and rehabilitation team received a virtual rehabilitation system in 2013. This is a Wii, but is used with a variety of exercise and therapy options designed to improve eye-hand coordination exercises and balance exercises. It is able to recreate the patient’s movements and captures results that documents their progress and improvements.
The funds from the 2014 tournament will go towards revitalizing the intensive therapy room in the child and health care centre. Currently, it’s nicknamed the “dizzy room” and the funds will improve its décor and functionality and make it a more pleasant room for treatment.
This year’s funds raised will go towards buying and installing sky ceilings above beds in the pediatric oncology unit. During a pediatric oncology stay at the hospital, some recipients of chemotherapy have the drugs introduced to their system through their spine, once received, the kids must lay fl at on their backs for an hour or more. These sky ceilings will provide an alternative distraction from the pain, anxiety and tedium of staring at the ceiling and bring a more positive and soothing environment to children undergoing cancer treatment.
